Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve means we light all the candles, read the story, and open all of our presents except our stockings. I love this day because it is just us for most of the day and laid back (well as laid back as 4 kids allows). We stayed in our PJ's way too long and had a lazy breakfast. The kids ask every mother lovin' minute "when can we open the presents?" but the anticipation is almost over and after we spent time with friends we came home and had our special time.

It helped that we had a new lego set to keep little hands occupied. I love that the kids wait for their turn to do 5 steps each with Papa. I think Jason loves that they love it as much as he does! We all know how I feel about Lego's & following directions so much better that I just take pictures.

In the afternoon we headed to some new friend's home. We asked if we could continue our family tradition of acting out the Christmas story. The kids call this our "Christmas Play" but we are using that term VERY loosely!! But it was fun to include our friends as well.

The angel comes to Joseph

The Shepherds come to see this baby they heard about....along with a princess/angel of sorts.

The Wisemen brings gifts

we sang a few Christmas carols together

Evy got to be Mary this year and that was a BIG deal.

The kids are always so excited to see ALL the candles lit

reading the story one last time in our Pjs

I love when the kids give each other the presents they made or bought and wrapped themselves. So sweet.

And I think one little boy liked his vader robe!




Star Wars was definitely involved in many of the gifts this year! And a sweet fellow photographer sent this box full of Star Wars goodies from New York. 

I think chapstick was his favorite gift and he applies (and eats it) liberally. 

Hope you all had a great Christmas with family & friends celebrating the birth of Jesus- who came to seek and save us all.